Any self-respecting tech fan surely knows Make Magazine, the tech pub devoted to do-it-yourself projects. Brian Jepsen, one of the magazine's contributing editors, was on hand at the Greener Gadgets Conference--showcasing, among other things, a DIY switch-mode device charger housed in an Altoids gum tin.

The MintyBoost v 1.2 Kit is available for purchase via Adafruit Industries' site, along with downloadable instructions. Of course, if you're not the type of person who has some soldering tools on hand at home, this might not be the kit for you.